'Wasn't allowed to sit in exams'

DEHRADUN: In a bizarre incident, an 18-year-old girl from Chamoli district has claimed that she was stopped from appearing for exams because she is married. However, officials dismissed the allegations, saying the girl, Manju Devi, was not allowed to sit for the exams as she was short of attendance. Devi, who is a student of class 11at the Rajkiya Inter College, said she got married in December last year, and when she went to school to give exams, the officials didn’t let her. “I got married in December, but I wanted to study. I had sent a letter to the school asking for leave for marriage. But when I got there, they didn’t allow me to sit for exams,” said Devi. When contacted, Chamoli chief education officer LM Chamola told TOI that as per the statement of the college principal, Digambar Singh, the girl didn’t have the required attendance.

“Singh told us that the girl has around 70% attendance, but as per the norms one is allowed to sit for exams if they have at least 75% attendance. He also said that she didn’t even collect her admit card,” Chamola said. Chamola added that the education department will talk to the girl soon and take necessary steps.